KUALA LUMPUR - Police yesterday issued an
outright ban on the annual sexuality rights festival, Seksualiti Merdeka, and
any events relating to homosexuality.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri
Khalid Abu Bakar said homosexuality was against the law and many parties,
individuals and religious organisations had voiced their opposition over the
event themed "Queer Without Fear".
"Two police reports were lodged in Kuala
Lumpur on Wednesday against the organisers and investigation papers were
opened," he said.
"Any activities or events relating to
Seksualiti Merdeka is illegal and if any individual or party attempts to
participate in the event, they will be ordered to disperse.
"Failing which, they will be arrested for
causing disharmony, or ill-will, or prejudicing on grounds of religion."
Those detained can also be investigated for
participating in an activity likely to be prejudicial to national security or
public order.
"The organisers of Seksualiti Merdeka
will be called to have their statements recorded. The event is a threat to
public order and we have to take preventive measures."
Khalid said the event organisers should think
about the response and feedback from the public before planning such festivals
and that they should evaluate feedback from the majority, not the minority.
"There are clear guidelines and
legislation outlawing unnatural sexual activities such as sodomy. The religious
bodies which have voiced their opposition include those of the Buddhist and
Christian faiths.
"As far as police are concerned, any
event concerning the rights of gays and lesbians is completely out of the
question," he added.
The Seksualiti Merdeka festival, which
celebrates the rights of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and the transgender
community has been held annually since 2008.
It is currently ongoing at the Annexe Gallery
in the city until Nov 13. It is scheduled to be officially launched by former
Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan next Wednesday.
The festival is supposedly a platform for
Malaysians of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities to tell their
stories and not an effort to promote transsexuality, according to its
co-founder Pang Khee Teik.
The government has already dismissed the
Seksualiti Merdeka festival as it was deemed totally non-beneficial to
Malaysians.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
said he did not know what Malaysia could gain from it.
"What Seksualiti Merdeka is advocating is
not in line with various religions, including Islam and Christianity. It is an
immoral activity which does not meet our customs," Muhyiddin was reported
as saying.
New Straits Times
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